The aeronautics program at SAN bernardino valley college (sbvc), which is fully accredited by the accrediting commission for community and junior colleges (accjc), has a longstanding and…

The aeronautics program at SAN bernardino valley college (sbvc), which is fully accredited by the accrediting commission for community and junior colleges (accjc), has a longstanding and well-respected history in the field of aviation. Per the authorizing legislation, the proposed project would enable sbvc to expand our aviation mechanics airframe and powerplant technology program to high school students improve our existing program with up-to-date technologies establish scholarships for students pursuing employment in the aviation maintenance industry support local community outreach about careers in aviation and support educational opportunities related to aviation maintenance in an economically disadvantaged region.situated at the convergence of three citiessan bernardino, colton, and rialtosbvc serves a complex and diverse student population, many of whom hail from one of the thirty-three (33) qualified zones of opportunity located in the colleges immediate service area. The majority of our student body are reflective of the surrounding communitiesprimarily latinx (67.3%), first-generation college students (73%), and low-income (65.3%). These demographics are also representative of many of the high schools and k-12 districts sbvc serves and with whom the college has existing dual enrollment agreements. The proposed project would allow SAN bernardino valley college to leverage its existing relationships with local high schools and k-12 districts to expand our successful aviation mechanics airframe and powerplant technology program to serve an increased number of students. At the center of our proposed project is the core goal of successfully preparing students to serve the anticipated demands of the U.S. Aviation industry by providing the education necessary to gain the skills and training necessary to secure above-living wage career trajectories, potentially transforming the socioeconomic status and life trajectories of generations of marginalized people in the area. Primary goals of the project will focus on: 1) recruitment 2) registration and retention 3) program completion and 4) certification.as a commitment to and in support of the proposed project, sbvc will provide, at minimum, $106,000 via in-kind contributions, including personnel costs and benefits, marketing and recruiting costs, and travel where applicable. In order to bring the project to full fruition, svbc is requesting $498,555 in federal funds for year 1. These funds will be used primarily to: 1) upgrade current equipment to include more up-to-date and state-of-the-art technologies 2) purchase necessary supplies for the aforementioned equipment and participants and 3) establish and award scholarships for students to defray the costs of FAA certification exams and to cover defer the costs of the tool boxes students need in order to begin work.by capitalizing on sbvcs established aviation mechanics airframe and powerplant technology program and leveraging existing positive relationships with local k-12 districts, the proposed project aims to not only increase the pool of FAA-certified aircraft maintenance technical workers within the region, but also to prepare students for potentially life-changing opportunities and careers in the field of aviation. Student success through the proposed project may very well lead to entire families within our community and region being lifted out of the cycle of poverty.